Enniscorthy Mart held its weekly calf sale on Wednesday, March 23 ,with over 600 calves on offer at Co. Wexford-based mart.
The sale saw a reduced number of Friesian bull calves on offer, with the bulk of calves on offer made up of continental sires, Aberdeen Angus and Herefords sires.
According to Eanna Harrington from Enniscorthy Mart, “there was a much stronger trade this week, with Friesian bulls up €30 to €50/head in some cases after a much tougher trade last week due to the double bank holiday.
“Overall, the quality of calves on the day were very high, which also added to the strong trade.”
Enniscorthy calf sale
Starting with the Friesian bull calves, the majority of the better-quality Friesian bulls were purchased by farmers, both ringside and online. These ranged from €120 up to €250.
The prices were propped up by export agents which competed strongly for calves from €50 to €100, with a particular interested in those Friesians offered in groups.
The softer Friesian bulls are becoming less plentiful and sold generally from €30 to €50.
Some sample Friesian prices:
- A month-old Friesian bull sold for €250;
- A month-old Friesian bull sold for €190;
- Three three-week-old Friesian bulls sold for €100;
- Five three-week-old Friesian bulls sold for €85;
- Four two-week-old Friesian bulls sold for €70;
- Five two-week-old Friesian bulls sold for €50.
This four-week-old Friesian bull sold for €250
According to Eanna there was also a small number of Friesian heifers on offer which sold from €150 to €230, for those suitable for breeding.
Continental calves
Moving to the continental calves on offer at Enniscorthy Mart on Wednesday which, according to Eanna, remained an excellent trade.
The heifer calves sold from €190, up to a top price of €515 for a four-week-old Hereford-cross heifer out of a Belgian Blue-cross cow.
The bulls sold from €200 up to €440 for a good Belgian Blue.
Some sample Continental prices:
- One four-week-old Hereford-cross heifer made €515;
- One four-week-old Belgain Blue-cross bull made €440;
- One three-week-old Simmental-cross bull made €380;
- One three-week-old Limousin-cross bull made €390;
- One three-week-old Limousin-cross heifer made €360;
- One two-week-old Limousin-cross bull made €230.
This four-week-old Hereford-cross calf sold for €515 
This four-week-old Belgian Blue-cross bull sold for €340 
This three-week-old Limousin-cross heifer sold for €300
Hereford and Angus
Looking at the Aberdeen Angus and Hereford calves on offer, which sold very well on the day also, theese ranged from €140 for the lighter heifers up to €330 for a good Hereford heifer; their male counterparts ranged from €170 up to €360.
Some sample Hereford and Angus prices:
- One three-week-old Hereford-cross bull made €360;
- One four-week-old Angus-cross bull made €350;
- One four-week-old Angus-cross bull made €330;
- One four-week-old Hereford-cross heifer made €330;
- One three-week-old Hereford-cross heifer made €270;
- One three-week-old Angus cross-heifer made €250;
- Two two-week-old Angus-cross heifers made €180.
This four week old Angus cross bull €350 
This three week old Hereford bull sold for €360
Summing up Eanna stated: “Overall, another big sale and a better trade throughout for all calf types.
“The suck calves in general remain in big demand from local farmers all looking for those good quality calves.”